Track: Carrier-Eades, O’Connell Head to NCAAs

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following strong performances at the NCAA East Regional, West Virginia athletes Jessica O’Connell and Chelsea Carrier-Eades will represent the program from June 6-9 at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Both Chelsea and Jessica are seasoned veterans,” says WVU coach Sean Cleary. “Both have already achieved numerous All-American awards and have represented themselves and WVU countless times at the national championships. They are both very excited to represent the gold and blue one last time at the NCAA Championships.”

Having qualified for the 5,000-meter run finals, O’Connell will compete in the event Saturday at 1:19 p.m.

Carrier-Eades qualified for the 100-meter hurdles and the heptathlon at the championships. She will compete in the first four heptathlon events Thursday with the 100-meter hurdles at 2 p.m., the high jump at 3 p.m., the shot put at 5:30 p.m. and the 200-meter dash at 7 p.m. She will again compete in the open 100-meter hurdles semifinals Thursday evening at 8:10 p.m.

The Buckhannon, W.Va., native will finish the heptathlon’s final three events Friday with the long jump at 4 p.m., the javelin throw at 5:15 p.m. and the 800-meter run at 7:45 p.m.

If she qualifies from Thursday night’s open 100-meter hurdles semifinals, she will compete in the finals for the event Saturday at 1:14 p.m.

“Both young ladies look to be very well prepared for what is waiting around the corner,” Cleary says. “After such a long year, it's important to go into this meet mentally and physically prepared. This is the cream of the crop. Many athletes competing this weekend will be competing this summer at the London Olympic Games.”